Leading medical and environmental experts have advocated the adoption of clean energy cooking to tackle household air pollution and protect public health.
The advocacy came at a stakeholders’ forum on clean fuel and cookstove implementation in Lagos.
The initiative is funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), in partnership with New York University, LASUTH, and LASUCOM. The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) also serves as a partner in the project.
The experts urged governments at all levels to expand awareness, ensure fuel accessibility, and strengthen policies for widespread adoption of clean cooking.
Benefits of Clean Cooking
Delivering a goodwill message, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, commended the collaboration and described clean cooking as a pressing public health necessity.
Prof. Abayomi stressed that the gathering was focused on implementing practical clean energy solutions.
He noted that household air pollution causes millions of premature deaths annually, disproportionately affecting women and children in vulnerable communities.
Abayomi said that clean cooking reduces maternal risks, childhood pneumonia, and long-term illnesses such as hypertension and dementia.
He highlighted additional benefits to include reduction in deforestation, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and household economic savings.
The Commissioner emphasised the need for affordable, culturally acceptable clean fuels, while encouraging local industries to drive sustainable adoption.
He was represented by Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Health.
Effect of Dependence On Harmful Fuels.
Speaking , Prof. Ololade Wright of LASUCOM and LASUTH noted that millions of Nigerians still depend on harmful fuels such as firewood, charcoal, sawdust, dung, and kerosene.
She warned that these fuels release fumes damaging the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, raising risks of hypertension, stroke, and pneumonia, especially for women and children.
Wright called for government action to increase awareness and expand access to alternatives such as bioethanol stoves, LPG, and renewable cooking technologies.
Clean Cookstove Project
She said the Clean Fuel, Clean Cookstove Project aims to drive large-scale transition from polluting fuels to sustainable, affordable clean options for households.
According to Prof, Wright, “Clean cooking is a pathway to healthier families, cleaner air, and climate resilience, and Nigeria cannot afford delay,”
The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Tunde Ajayi on his part , emphasized the environmental benefits.
He said that clean cooking improves household environments, reduces climate impacts, and enhances Lagos air quality.
He said monitoring shows that cutting emissions from cooking, traffic, and generators directly improves the air people breathe.
Ajayi added that the project supports both cleaner energy and local innovations in air quality monitoring.
